Man Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering Former UK Minister Ann Widdecombe

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UK politician Ann Widdecombe.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering former government minister and Reform UK politician Ann Widdecombe after she was found dead at her home in south-west England.

The 78-year-old politician was discovered shortly after midday on Thursday with serious injuries at her rural home, prompting a major police investigation.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the suspect, a white British man, was arrested on Friday in Newton Abbot, around 15 kilometres from Widdecombe's home.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was no evidence to suggest the killing was linked to terrorism or had a political motive. Forensic examinations at the property remain ongoing.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to Widdecombe, praising her "dedication during her many years of public service".

Widdecombe was one of Britain's most recognisable conservative political figures, serving as a junior minister in the government of former Conservative Prime Minister John Major between 1992 and 1997. More recently, she served as Reform UK's spokesperson on immigration and justice under Nigel Farage.

Her death comes after two serving British MPs were murdered over the past decade. Labour MP Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed during the 2016 Brexit campaign, while Conservative MP Sir David Amess was killed in a knife attack in 2021 by a man inspired by the militant group Islamic State.

Throughout her political career, Widdecombe became known for her outspoken style and strongly held socially conservative views. She opposed abortion, resisted moves to equalise the age of consent for homosexual and heterosexual relationships, defended the use of restraints on pregnant prisoners during childbirth to prevent escape, and argued that single mothers were poor role models. However, she broke with many Conservatives by opposing fox hunting.

One of her most famous remarks came when she described her former boss and future Conservative leader Michael Howard as having "something of the night about him".

Widdecombe also spoke openly about her personal life, saying she had never experienced romance or had sexual relationships. She converted to Catholicism in protest at the Church of England's decision to ordain women as priests.

After leaving Parliament, she gained a new audience by appearing on the BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2010. Although criticised by judges for her dancing, she proved popular with viewers. She later criticised the programme's inclusion of same-sex couples, arguing it no longer reflected its traditional family audience.

In 2019, Widdecombe joined Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and served as a Member of the European Parliament until 2020.

Before police announced the murder investigation, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum.

Farage described her as someone who "played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line", while former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed her as "a heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker" whose speeches captivated Conservative audiences.

Source: Reuters



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